Dubai gave us the trip of a lifetime, and it also gave us an engagement. We split the trip between two hotels to get the best of both worlds, one resort, one city, and packed the days in between with everything from a hot air balloon at sunrise to dinner suspended in the sky.
where we stayed
Atlantis The Palm
Hands down our favorite resort we've ever stayed at. Everything was luxurious, from the restaurants and shops on property to their own private beach and every amenity you could think of. It genuinely felt like you never needed to leave, an entire world built into one resort.
Address Sky View
The ultimate city hotel, with the Dubai skyline and the Burj Khalifa in full view right from our room. Connected straight to Dubai Mall, so shopping, food, and the fountain show were all just steps away. Completely different energy from the resort, and we loved having both.
what we did
Dinner In The Sky
Dining suspended in the air over the city, exactly as wild and unforgettable as it sounds. Easily one of the most unique meals we've ever had.
Yacht Day with Xclusive Yachts
A full day out on the water, taking in the coastline and the Palm from a completely different angle. The kind of day that makes you never want to go back to land.
Desert ATV Riding, Sandboarding & Dune Buggy Tour
A full day in the desert, tearing through the dunes on ATVs and dune buggies, then sandboarding down them just for the fun of it. Dusty, chaotic, and easily one of our favorite days of the entire trip.
Sunrise Hot Air Balloon & Camel Ride
Up before sunrise for a hot air balloon ride over the desert as the sky changed colors, followed by a camel ride to close it out. Peaceful in a way nothing else on the trip was, a completely different pace.
Floating Brunch Boat
A brunch cruise out on the water, good food, good drinks, and views the whole time. A relaxed way to spend an afternoon after a few high-energy days.
where we ate
Urla
My favorite restaurant of the entire trip. Sits directly in front of the Burj Khalifa, so the view alone is worth it, and then the food backs it up. Beautiful outdoor setting, exactly the kind of dinner that stays with you.
Nobu
Just steps from the beach at Atlantis, so you get world-class sushi with sand practically between your toes. Consistently good, exactly what you'd expect from a Nobu, and the setting makes it even better.
Saffron Brunch
A full brunch party, big spread, big energy. Great pick if you want brunch to feel like an event rather than just a meal.
Brunch & Cake
Loved this brunch spot, the food was fresh and yummy, and the atmosphere was easy and relaxed, a nice change of pace in between all the bigger excursions.
the proposal
Chris proposed at Cloud 22, the rooftop of Atlantis The Palm, with the entire city of Dubai stretched out below us. After everything the trip had already given us, this was the moment that topped it all off.
Luxury, adventure, and the biggest moment of our lives, all wrapped into one trip. If Dubai isn't on your list yet, it needs to be.
watch it all
watch our full Dubai trip here! →